We tried the free service that promises to get you anything you want, 24/7 with just a text
If the idea of a text-based concierge service sounds familiar, that's because US company Magic also promises to place orders and schedule deliveries on your behalf.
But GoButler is different because the service is free to use. Here's how it's supposed to work: First you text GoButler with a request, which is picked up by one of is employees, known as "Heroes." They will then scour the internet for you to get the best price or date for a plane ticket, or get something delivered on your behalf. GoButler has operators who work around the clock, so you can use the service at any time of day (though the service might be limited based on how many stores are open).
It stores your payment details too, so you don't have to enter them every time you order something.
GoButler just came out of beta and launched officially in the UK, Germany, Switzerland, US, and Canada. The company was launched in Berlin in February by several Rocket Internet alumni.
With GoButler, you only pay for whatever it is you're buying or ordering. Magic, on the other hand, charges a fee on top of the cost of the products or services you're requesting, essentially acting as a middleman for services like Instacart or Seamless that are already acting as a middleman.
But GoButler founder Navid Hadzaad thinks that his company will eventually be able to make money through affiliate relationships with on-demand apps themselves, as well as retailers and other service providers.